SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

1

: an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code ‧ ‧ ‧ - - - ‧ ‧ ‧ used especially by ships calling for help

2

: a call or request for help or rescue

Examples of SOS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yes, there’s a way to send an SOS with certain smartphones. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025

Weener’s first collection (five dresses, a skirt-and-top-set and three geometric bags) debuted at London Fashion Week earlier this year, as part of Fashion Crossover London’s Rising Stars event when SOS was only a few weeks old. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

On this final episode of Dinner SOS, Chris and Amiel answer listener questions on all things cooking! —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 June 2025

The referral was made after the SOS was given access to a federal database to check its voter rolls after suing the previous administration to have access. —Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for SOS

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

Kids Definition

SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

ˌes-ə-ˈwes

1

: an international radio code distress signal used by ships and aircraft calling for help

2

: a call for help

Medical Definition

SOS

abbreviation

if occasion require; if necessary

—used in writing prescriptions

Etymology

Latin si opus sit